Swiss chocolate company Lindt and Sprüngli, which is known for its Lindor Truffles, announced on Monday that it will acquire Russell Stover Candies. Lindt and Sprüngli’s American headquarters are in Stratham. (Courtesy photo)

STRATHAM — Swiss chocolate company Lindt and Sprüngli, which has its American headquarters in Stratham, announced on Monday it will acquire Russell Stover Candies, making it the third largest chocolate manufacturer in North America.

It is not clear yet what this means for Lindt and Sprüngli’s Stratham operations, or if the company is planning to consolidate any of Russell Stover’s four chocolate factories to the Stratham location at One Fine Chocolate Place.

Ernst Tanner, chairman of the Lindt & Sprüngli board of directors and group CEO, said the acquisition is “a unique opportunity for us to expand our North American chocolate business and will greatly enhance the group’s status in the world’s biggest overall chocolate marketplace.”

Lindt and Sprüngli, which was founded in the 1800s in Switzerland and is well known for its Lindor Truffles, previously acquired the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company in 1998.

Ghirardelli continued its operation of Ghirardelli chocolates after it was acquired by Lindt and Sprüngli.

Lindt and Sprüngli has six factories. Five are in Europe and the sixth, which doubles as the headquarters for Lindt & Sprüngli USA, is based in Stratham.

The factory has been in operation since 1992.

Seacoastonline.com reported this year the Stratham factory produces more than 100 tons of chocolate every day.

The acquisition also comes at a time of expansion for the chocolate maker’s USA headquarters.

In March, Lindt & Sprüngli USA received approval from Stratham’s Planning Board to build a 108,261-square-foot addition to its Stratham headquarters.

Town Planner Lincoln Daley said the expansion was for additional production lines, storage space and parking.

Russell Stover was founded in 1923 in Denver and acquired the Whitman’s brand in 1993. It is now the leading manufacturer of pralines and seasonal candies in North America.

Russell Stover has four chocolate factories in Kansas, Texas and Colorado.

The chocolate company, whose chocolates were famously used in the movie “Forrest Gump,” also operates 35 retail outlets. A Russell Stover outlet previously existed at 45 Centre Street, in Somersworth.

“The addition of the Russell Stover and Whitman’s brands perfectly complements Lindt & Sprüngli’s existing chocolate portfolio and will make the company the Number 3 North American chocolate manufacturer,” read a Lindt and Sprüngli press release.

Daley said any further expansion, in the wake of the Russell Stover acquisition, would have to go through the same process of town approval.

He said that Lindt and Sprüngli has been a “great corporate citizen in our community.”